Portrait of Elisabeth of Habsburg, Archduchess of Austria (Vienna, 5 July 1554 - Vienna, 22 January 1592), was Queen of France from 1570 to 1574 as wife of King Charles IX.

Portrait of Charles IX of Valois (Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 27 June 1550 - Vincennes, 30 May 1574) was King of France from 1560 to 1574; son of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici.

Oil on panel

cm. 35 x 27

Framed cm. 42 x 34

We are here examining this fascinating pair of finely executed portraits depicting the King of France Charles IX of Valois (Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1550 - Vincennes, 1574) and his consort Elisabeth of Habsburg, Archduchess of Austria (Vienna, - Vienna, 1592), both portrayed half-length, slightly to the side and in ceremonial dress.

These works can be traced back to the illustrative style of the famous French Renaissance portraitist and miniaturist François Clouet, who trained in the workshop of his father Jean, whom he succeeded as 'painctre et varlet de chambre' at the court of François I.

Clouet owes his fame to his extraordinary talent as a portrait painter: his works combine the minuteness of detail according to Flemish taste with the preciousness of French execution. Very important for his artistic development was his trip to Italy around 1549-1550, during which he contemplated and assimilated the refined mannerism in vogue in Florence.

He worked at the French royal court as an official portrait painter, where he produced numerous half-length portraits: among his most famous works, preserved in important collections, are the portraits of Charles IX and his wife Elisabeth of Austria, whom the painter portrayed on numerous occasions and also in different years.

These portraits, from which our author must undoubtedly have drawn, typically display a subtle formality and an air of courtly austerity, conveying a sense of refinement, elegance and calm authority. The careful drawing and smooth shaping of the face in these portraits are the hallmarks of masterful technique.

The proposed paintings, made by one of his talented followers, fully reflect the painter's style, with a depiction of the effigy that is extremely exquisite in its meticulous execution, using a perfect balance of soft colours and a rigorous style in form, often becoming historical documents for the detailed depictions of fabrics and court dress.

The following works can be considered for comparison:

Portraits of Charles IX

- Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010055231

- François Clouet (after), Musée de Chantilly https://chateaudechantilly.fr/en/collection/portrait-of-king-charles-ix/

- Museum Fine Art Budapest, https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/portrait-of-king-charles-ix-1550-1574/

- New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art https://rkd.nl/en/explore/images/130287

- Fine Art Museum, Budapest https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/portrait-of-king-charles-ix-1550-1574/

Portraits of Elisabeth of Austria

- Musée du Louvre, Paris https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010062176

- Musée du Louvre, Paris (Clouet, Atelier de) https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010062744

- Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The paintings are sold complete with 2 attractive wooden frames and come with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

Contact us for any information, we will be happy to answer you.

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